Pot for potholes Hos for schools Always for pleasure Break all the rules --Davis

Episode six of Treme begins and ends with outlandish political satire. Davis McAlary's self-amused campaign for city council launches, and launches the show, in earnest, parading down a wide avenue in a flatbed pickup truck blaring music, giving away CDs, and slapping strippers on their butts. Meanwhile, the whole Bernette family dresses as sperm as the Krewe du Vieux parade courses past, its highlight a giant float of then-mayor Ray Nagin in bed nursing an outsized nocturnal emission.

It must be with a bit of a wink that the writers of Treme made John Goodman's Creighton wary of Zahn's Davis; they seem like kindred spirits as New Orleans apologists with loony streaks. Their aims aren't the same; the Krewe du Vieux simply lampoons major political figures, while Davis' council run is at least half-serious. But they're certainly more akin than Creighton wants to let on to. Davis' platform can't possibly win (especially if he wants to legalize illegal drug sales, as we learned from season three of The Wire), but it can act as a gadfly, speaking out on topics other candidates won't touch with absurd humor. If anger is occasionally a proper response to injustice (a la Creighton's "f--- you, you f----- f--s"), humor has just as much potential as a community statement.

Enough of that. Josh Jackson of WBGO joins me again via email to talk about the episode's music (full playlist here), and whatever else comes to mind.

May 17, 2010. Posted by David Tallacksen.

Last year when the Jazz Journalists Association named him Pianist of the Year, Jones said the honor was an inspiration to work even harder. That comment summed up his rare dedication. Indeed at the age of 90, he was still practicing, two to three hours a day when he could. And his playing was sublime.

At the end of the summer, he was honored by the Detroit International Jazz Festival. WBGO blogged excerpts of his Jazz Talk.

As always, he graciously answers familiar questions and shares a little of himself. With his music he shares much more. - Becca Pulliam

May 13, 2010. Posted by Brandy Wood.

On Thursday, May 27 at 8 p.m., WBGO will simulcast a call-in program with New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie. Christie - On The Line, hosted by Emmy Award-winning Steve Adubato, will run one hour without interruption.